At Tsunade's furious shout, Jiraiya's hand froze in midair, and the Chakra he had unleashed slowly dissipated.
He lowered his hands to his sides. His fingers were still slightly spread, their tips pale in the sunlight.
The Uchiha Security Guards stepped forward, crossed their Water-and-Fire Staffs around him, hoisted him up, and dumped him off the platform!
"Hahaha..."
Orochimaru stood among the crowd below the platform. His golden, slit-pupiled eyes narrowed to thin lines, his mouth stretched into a grin, and a hoarse, piercing laugh rose from his throat.
He extended his tongue and ran it around his lips, then clapped twice and twice again, as though watching a spectacular show.
Konoha like this was far too entertaining!
Shikaku Nara stood near the front of the crowd, looking more troubled by the moment.
Everything in Konoha had changed!
Uchiha Yongye was the one whose voice carried the most weight!
Even the Hokage couldn't rein him in!
Seeing Jiraiya standing below the platform, livid but afraid to act, Yongye withdrew his gaze in satisfaction and turned back to Itachi.
Uchiha Itachi knelt in the center of the platform, still expressionless.
He really was ruthless enough to wipe out a clan. He could even take the blame without batting an eye.
"Uchiha Itachi has confessed to his crimes."
"But there are several other killers in this case. We don't yet know whether he's taking the blame for someone else."
"We in the Konoha Military Police Force will do everything we can to apprehend the others."
"There will be no verdict today. If nothing comes to light in ten days, he'll be sentenced to immediate execution!"
A murmur rose from the crowd below. Some nodded, some shook their heads, and others leaned over to whisper to their neighbors.
But not one of